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How Jim Made Good 



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•QFTIUOMT, 1««9, BY WALTIR H. BMUM 4 m&^ 






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How Jim Made Good 

A Comedy Drama in Four Acts 



By 
CHARLES S. BIRD 

Juthor of ''At the Junction^' ''Elmwood Folks^' etc. 



NOTICE TO PROFESSIONALS 

This play is published for the use of amateurs only. Profes- 
sional companies are'forbidden the use of it in any form or under 
any title, without the consent of the author, who may be ad- 
dressed in care of the publishers. 



BOSTON 

WALTER H. BAKER & CO. 

1911 



How Jim Made Good 



CHARACTERS 



(^Js originally produced December p, igiOt in the Opera House, 
Natrona, Pa., for the benefit of the Ladies* Industrial So- 
ciety of the Natrona Presbyterian Church.) 

Eben Lovejoy, of Hillside farm . . . . C. S. Bird. 

Jim ]0'i{^'S>, a farm hand ; good as gold . . Edward Lemon. 

Walter Wayne, the new schoolmaster .... Roy Cook. 

Steve Hammond, a 7ie er-do-well ; Eben s nephew. Edward Dean. 
Si Staples, landlord of the Hillside Hotel . . Jacob Carr. 
J ABEZ Elder a member of the schoolboard . ) ^.^^^^^^ j^^^^.^ 
A 1 RAMP, who 7nakes good . . . . ) 

Mrs. Lovejoy, Ebe^i s wife, who believes in fim . Agnes Bird. 
Lucy Lovejoy, her daughter, whom you can t help 

loving ........ Mabel Snebold. 

Cora Harlow, the Lovejoy s " help'\- a born tease. Mary Larson. 

SYNOPSIS 

Act L — Sitting-room at Hillside Farm. 
Act II. — The Lovejoys' Kitchen. 
Act III.— Office of the Hillside Hotel. 
Act IV. — Same as Act I. 

One month is supposed to elapse between Acts I and IL 




Copyright, 191 i, by Walter H. Baker & Co. 

TMP92-008656 

©CLD ^486S 



^ 



COSTUMES 

Wayne. — Summer suit, for Acts I and II ; different suit 
for Act III. 

Eben. — Ordinary farmer's costume, for first two acts ; 
better suit for Act III, also used in first part of Act IV. For 
final entrance, shirt and trousers only. 

Si and Jabez. — Ordinary suit, same for all three acts. 

Steve. — Well, but rather carelessly dressed ; change of cos- 
tume in different acts if desired. Disguise for final entrance 
— slouch hat, half mask, etc. 

Jim. — First two acts, trousers and shirt, sleeves rolled up, 
large straw hat. For Act III, Jim's best suit, rather eccentric 
— coat, no vest, fancy shirt, trousers a little short, low shoes, 
gay socks and tie, rather small hat. Same for Act IV. Coat 
off for final entrance. 

Tramp. — Seedy costume; slouch hat, officer's badge con- 
cealed under coat, wig and false beard to be thrown off at final 
entrance. 

Mrs. Lovejoy. — House costumes. 

Lucy. — Summer costumes ; sailor hat. 

Cora. — Neat house dress and apron. Better costume, with 
taking little hat, for Act III. Soubrette. 



MAKE-UPS 

Eben, Si, Jabez and Mrs. Lovejoy are people well past 
middle life ; they should have gray hair ; specs for some of 
these four. The tramp is about middle-aged as represented in 
first role; smooth-faced young man after disguise is discarded. 
All the rest are juvenile. 

Note. — The parts of Jabez and the Tramp can be doubled, 
as in the original performance. 



How Jim Made Good 



ACT I 

SCENE. — A sitting-room in the Lovejoy farmhouse. Com* 
fortably furnished. Table back C. , with lamp, books ^ etc. 
Dish containing apples ; red cloth on table. A few chairs ^ 
straight back and rockers. A desk back L. 

(As curtain rises a group is discovered, consisting of Eben 
Lovejoy, Jabez Elder a7td Si Staples, the school boards 
and Walter Wayne and Steve Hammond, the rival 
candidates .^ 

Eben (^rising). Wall, young men, I guess the examination 
inter your quali-fy-cations is satisfactory t' me an' th* other 
members o' th' board, ain't it? {Turns to the other two, who 
nod.) So you two go inter th' parlor, and we'll let ye know 
th' decision o' th' board soon's we git t' one. 

Walt. Very well, sir. [Exit, l. u. e. 

Steve {looking after Walt. ; shrugging his shoulders). 
Where's I^ucy, Uncle Eben ? 

Eben. She's in th' kitchen with her ma, I guess. 

Steve. Then I think I'll wait there, if it's all the same to 
you. 

Eben. All right, so's you're handy when you're wanted. 

Steve. Oh, I'll be here. \^Exit, r. i e. 

Eben {sitting do7vn again). Wall, Si, what d' you 'n' Jabez 
think about these two young fellers? S'pose we got t' make a 
chice. D'ye want t' vote right now, or hev either of ye got 
suthin' t' say fust ? 

Sl Wall, I dunno; what d'you think, Jabe? 

{Helps himself to an apple.) 

Jabez {following suit). Humph ! I dunno's I know any 
more'n you do about it, Si. 

Eben. Thet's right, hev an apple. Don't care if I hev one 

5 



6 HOW JIM MADE GOOD 

myself. Some folks says business b'fore pleasure, but 's fur's I 
can see business an' pleasure hitched up t'gether make a purty 
fair runnin' team. Ha, ha! {They eat apples as they talk?) 
Now, go ahead, go ahead, let's git this here matter settled. 
Ahem, as chairman o' th* board, it'll be fur me t' speak last, 
an' vote last, too, 's fur's that goes, so I wanter hear what you 
two've got t' say afore I do either. 

Si. Wall, fer one, I ain't in favor of electin' this here 
young college chap as teacher of th' school; we don't want 
any of them new-fangled idees here in Hillside. What do we 
want with algebray an' bottomy, an' sich like foolishness, I'd 
like t' know? I say let well enough alone. Here's Steve 
Hammond, now, he's smart; what's the matter with electin' 
him ? An' what's more, he b' longs right here in the town, — 
everybody knows him, an' 

Jabez. Huh ! You're right there. Si ; everybody does 
know him, like a book, an' precious little good they know of 
him, either. 

Si. D'ye mean t' tell me Steve can't teach our school ? 

Jabez. Oh, I ain't sayin' anythin' about that ; mebby he 
•can teach school all right, but there's suthin' else besides that. 
We want a man that's a-goin' t' hev a good moral influence 
over the scholars, an' I'm a leetle afeard from some things I've 
heered that Steve Hammond won't fill th' bill. 

Si. H'm ! Didn't think you'd be influenced by any old 
woman's gossip, Jabe; an' b'sides, Steve's Eben's nephew, an' 
it don't sound jest right for anybody t' run him down when his 
uncle's right here. 

Eben. Shucks ! I guess you all know how I feel about 
that. I'd like well enough t' see Steve hev th' place, but I 
ain't a-goin' t' go contrary t' what I b'lieve's fur th' good o' 
th' school. You know 's well's I do that Steve's wild, an' I 
ain't proud of him, if he is my nephew. 

Si. Well, I'm a-goin' t' vote fur him, anyway; you can 
do's ye please. 

Eben. How about you, Jabez? 

Jabez. I'm fer young Wayne; I think he's th' best man 
fer th' place. 

Si. Humph ! 

Eben. Wall, I'm kinder sorry ye wasn't both fer Wayne; 
then I could hev voted fer Steve with a clear conscience, 
knowin* he wouldn't win ; but I know, as Jabe says, that he 
ain't the right kind of a man t' hev charge o' th' children of 



HOW JIM MADE GOOD 7 

th* district, so I'm a-goin' t' vote fer Wayne, an' that's two 
agin one, so I guess that settles it. 

Jabez. Then, if there ain't any further business t' come 
afore this meetin', I move we adjourn. 

Si. All right ; second th' motion. I told Steve I'd do all 
I could fer him, but I can't do, no more if you two want th' 
other chap. 

Eben. Then this meetin's adjourned. (^Go^sL.; calls off.') 
Oh, Mr. Wayne! {Goes r.) Oh, Steve ! {Enter "^ Am., l., 
Steve, r., followed by Mrs. Lovejoy and Lucy Lovejoy. 
Eben, to the group.) Wall, it's decided ; Mr. Wayne's elected 
teacher of th' Hillside school fer the next year. 

Lucy (aside, to Steve). Oh, I am so sorry you did not get 
the school. 

Mrs. L. So am I, Steve; but you've only yourself to 
blame. 

Steve (aside, to Mrs. L. and Lucy, angrily). I'll get even 
with that upstart for this, you see if I don't. 

Walt. Gentlemen, I wish to thank you for the honor you 
have just done me, and I assure you I will do my best to see 
that you have no cause to regret your action. (Turns to 
Steve.) And to you, sir, I want to say that I trust you will 
not bear me any ill-will for the outcome of a fair competition. 
It is quite needless for me to tell you that I am pained at your 
disappointment, and (extending his hand) I trust we shall be 
friends as long as I stay in Hillside. 

Steve (sullenly, ignoring Walt.'s proffered hand). Do 
you think I will shake hands with a man who by his sneaking, 
underhand methods has succeeded in taking an unfair advan- 
tage of me ? 

Walt. As you choose, but this has been a fair and open 
contest, and I have nothing to regret except that we could not 
both win. 

Steve. Well, you may have something to regret before 

Eben (sternly). That'll do, Steve; you'll have t' accept 
th' decision of th' board. 

Jabez. Wall, Eben, guess I'll hev t' be a-goin' home an' 
git at my chores. Good- day, everybody. \^Exit, c. d. 

Si. Guess I'll hev t' be goin', too. Mr. Wayne, come in 
an' see me any time you are down in th' village ; I keep th' 
hotel, you know, an' I'll be glad t' see ye. 

Walt. Thank you, Mr, Staples, I will be glad to do so. 

Mrs. L. Mr. Wayne, it has been decided that you will stay 



8 HOW JIM MADE GOOD 

with US for a while, so if you will bring your things along, I 
will show you to your room. 

(^Exeunt Mrs. L. and Walt., l. i e., he carrying suif case, 
hat, etc?) 

Eben. Now look here, Steve, I heard what you said to Mr. 
Wayne just now, and I know you are capable of trying to make 
it unpleasant for him if you've a mind to ; but you take my ad- 
vice and let him alone, fer your own good in the fust place, for 
he looks t' me like a feller who was able t' take care o* himself 
pretty well, an' in the second place, he ain't t' blame for your 
not gittin' th' school, though I guess you know as well's any- 
body who is. 

Steve {sullenly). What do you mean by that? 

Eben. I mean that your carryin's on and the company you 
keep are a disgrace to yourself and your family, and it's no way 
likely that our people would want to have in charge of their 
children a man oi your habits. 

Steve. Yes, I suppose you voted against me ; a nice way 
to treat a nephew, wasn't it ? 

Eben. Humph ! I guess if the truth was told you didn't 
expect anything else. Lucy, I'm a-goin' out t' th' barn; how 
long b'fore supper'U be ready? 

Lucy. In about half an hour, father. Cora has been wait- 
ing for the committee meeting to break up so she could set the 
table. 

Eben. All right, you call me when it's ready. Steve, will 
you stay an' eat with us? 

Steve. And your new boarder ? No, thanks, 

Eben. Oh, well, suit yourself. \_Exit, r. u. e. 

Steve. Lucy, you know why I feel this thing so keenly. I 
had hoped that if I got this place I would be able to convince 
you that I could do a little better than I — um — may perhaps 
have been doing for a while back, and that you would take 
back your refusal to marry me. 

Lucy. It would have made no difference, Steve ; ray deci- 
sion in regard to that matter was final. I like you when you 
try to do what is right, which I am sorry to say is not very 
often in these days, but please do not speak of marriage to me 
again, as I never have, and what is more, never could care for 
you in that way. 

Steve. No, and now I suppose you will have something 



HOW JIM MADE GOOD 9 

new that will interest you so much that you will forget that 
such a person as myself exists. 

Lucy {wonderingly). What do you mean ? 

Steve. Oh, I can see how you are all carried away with 
this college lout ; it's Mr. Wayne here and Mr. Wayne there, 
until it makes me sick. No doubt before long you and he will 
be ■ 

Lucy {stamping her foot). Stop! right where you are! 
You have no right to say anything like that to me. Why, we 
have only known Mr. Wayne for two days. 

Steve. That's long enough for some folks to fall in • 

Lucy. I will not stay here and listen to any more of your 
talk ; your failure has made you bitter. When you come here 
again I hope you will be in a more agreeable humor. 

\^Exit^ R. I E. 

Steve {looking after her). It's true, though ; I saw the way 
they looked at each other. But if I am right and this fellow 
tries to come between Lucy and myself, he'll have a longer 
score to settle than getting the school away from me. 

{Takes hat and starts for c. d. ; meets Si returning.^ 

Si {looking stealthily around^. Say, Steve, I bin waitin* 
down th' road fer ye. 

Steve {angrily). What for? Want to tell me some lie 
about why you went back on me in regard to the school, after 
promising me that 

Si. Sh-h I not so loud ; I did th' best I could fer ye, but 
Eben an- Jabez wanted th' other chap, so what could / do ? 

Steve. Well, you didn't do anything at any rate, so as you 
have failed to keep j^ar part of the agreement, I guess you will 
not be in a position to complain if I do not keep mine. You 
know very well — {looking around and lowering his voice) that 
I was depending upon the money I would get out of this job to 
pay you ; but now I don't care whether you get your money or 
not. 

Si. Oh, you don't, hey? A debt's a debt, however, and 
if one way of paying it has failed, you will have to find 
another. 

Steve. Maybe I will, and then again maybe I won't. It's 
a gambling debt, anyway, and you know as well as I do that 
you cannot collect it. I know also that you'll not try; if you 
doy I'll show you up, — how will you like that? Youy one of 



10 HOW JIM MADE GOOD 

the school board — keeper of the hotel and constable of the 
town, a common gambler. Ha, ha ! 

Si. Oh, I don't think you'll do anything like that. 

Steve. You don't ? Well, you just try to force me and sec. 

Si. See here, Steve, do you think I'm a fool ? Perhaps 
you remember that check you gave me in part payment of that 
two hundred dollars ? 

Steve. The one Uncle Eben gave me ? Yes, what of it ? 

Si. Uncle Eben ! bah ! It's the rankest forgery I ever ran 
across. 

Steve {startled). You lie. 

Si. Oh, I do, do I ? Shall I go and call Eben in and ask 
him about it? {Moves toward the door.') 

Steve {alarmed). No, no, don't do that; it's all right, 
but I don't want him to know about my giving it to you. 

Si {grimly). No, I v/ouldn't if I was you. I haven't tried 
to cash the check, not wantin' to push you loo hard \ but, let 
that drop now {eomifig closer^ ; if you want to make enough 
to pay me what you owe me, and a whole lot more beside, 
there'll be a chance in about a month. 

Steve {eagerly). How? 

Si. I happen to know that your Uncle Eben is going to sell 
the valley farm and — but this ain't no place to talk ; meet me 
down to the hotel in about a couple of hours, and 1 will tell 
you something. 

Steve. All right. {Exit Si, c. d.) Oh, yes, I'll meet 
you, and I'll find some way to get that check back. I was a 
fool to do a thing like that, anyway ; but before I go I'd like to 
find some way to get even with my dear Uncle Eben for this 
day's work, blast him. [Exit, c. d. 

Enter M-RS. L. and Walt., l. u. e. 

Walt. I am sure you are more than kind, Mrs. Lovejoy ; 
the room is very pleasant, and if my stay here in Hillside 
proves as enjoyable as it now promises to be, I shall consider 
myself very fortunate. {Enter Lucy, r. u. e.) I am going 
out for a stroll now. {To Lucv.) Perhaps you would like to 
be my guide around the farm. Miss Lovejoy, or are you other- 
wise engaged? 

Mrs. L. Yes, go along, Lucy ; Cora and I will see about 
supper, and I'll have Jim ring the bell for you whea it is 
ready. 



HOW JIM MADE GOOD H 

Lucy. Well, if you are sure you do not need me, mother, I 
think I would enjoy a walk very much. Come along, Mr. 
Wayne; we'll go up to the orchard ; the apples are 

{They go off R. u. E. together.) 

Mrs. L. (Jookifig after theni). Well, I must say they make 
a fine-looking couple, Mr. Wayne seems to be such a nice 
young man ; but mercy me, I mustn't stand here all day doing 
nothing. {Calls off r.) Cora, Co-o-ora. {Enter Cora, r. 
I E., table-cloth on her ar?fi.) Oh, you have the table-cloth; 
that's right ; you set the table, and I'll go out and attend to the 
things on the stove. Has Jim come in with the eggs yet ? 

Cora {laughing'). Not yet, Mrs. Lovejoy. If he gets back 
in the usual time he may be here in time for breakfast to-mor- 
row morning. 

Mrs. L. {smiling). Oh, I guess he'll be here before that, 
Cora ; Jim's a little slow, I know, but a better boy never lived. 

[Exity R. I E. 

Cora {laughing). Ha, ha ! Dear Mrs. Lovejoy. She 
thinks I can't see through her little hints. {Takes things off 
the table.) She is forever praising Jim up to me and telling 
me what a nice boy he is, when he's about the awkwardest 
young man that ever walked on two feet, and such feet ! Oh, 
my ! {Enter Jim Jones, r. u. e. He carries a large straiv 
hat in his hands containing eggs.) Well, Jim. You got here 
at last, did you ? I thought maybe you had gone to sleep 
again in the haymow. Ha, ha ! 

Jim. There ye go agin, alius a-larfin' an' a-insinuatin' some- 
thin' agin me. I guess if you'd a-bin with me a-huntin' aroun* 
after these here aigs, you wouldn't think there'd a-bin much 
time for sleepin' or anything else. Look-a-here. 

{Shows his right hand.) 

Cora {screaming). Look out ! For goodness' sake, do 
you want to smash all those eggs ? 

Jim {juggling hat with one hand). Yah, you needn't be 
afeard; I've handled aigs afore this. Look. 

Cora {looking at hand). Why, Jim, what's the matter 
with it? It's ail blood. 

Jim. 'Twas that darned old speckled pullet. Ye know 
she's a-wantin' t' set, an' she was on a whole nest full o' good 
fresh aigs, an' when I went t' haul her off she up an' gi' me the 



12 HOW JIM MADE GOOD 

blamedest pick. Gosh ! it brought th' blood ; but I fixed her 
for it, and don't you forget it. 

Cora. Jim! You cruel thing, you didn't kill the poor 
thing, did you ? She didn't know any better. 

Jim. H'm, didn't she? Well, she'll know better next time; 
ha, ha, ha ! 

Cora. Why? 

Jim. Why? 'Cause I tuk her out an' slung her in tli' hoss 
pond, that's why. Ha, ha, you'd orter seen her flounderin' 
'round ; it may break her of settin' an' pickin' at th' same time. 

Cora {trying twt to laugh). Wasn't that a nice thing to do 
to a poor old hen ? And you call yourself a man, don't you ? 
How would you like to have somebody do that to you ? 

Jim. Well, I dunno's I'd care much, a warm day like this. 

Cora. You take those eggs out to Mrs. Lovejoy in the 
kitchen, then come back here and I'll do your hand up for you, 
and then you can help me set the table. We are going to have 
supper in here to-night ; you know Mr. Wayne, the new school- 
teacher, is going to be here. 

Jim {anxiously). He is ? Now look here, Cora, don't you 
go to makin' up t' 

Cora. Oh, pshaw ! Do go along. {Pushes him off Yi.\^.') 
Ha, ha, ha, wouldn't that have been fun to see Jim and the old 
speckled hen ? The idea of any one being so awkward as to let a 
hen bite him. And isn't that just like him, too, being afraid of 
my looking twice at Mr. Wayne. How absurd. {Gets rags 
and liniment.) He's jealous if I even treat anybody else decent^ 
the big ninny. 

Enter Jim, holding his hand out ; he has his hat on and sits on 
the edge of table while Cora does up his hand. 

Jim. Say, Cora? 

Cora {busy). Well, what is it, Jim ? 

Jim. You'd make an all fired good nurse. 

Cora. Do you think so? 

Jim. You bet ; you're as gentle as 

{Attempts to put his arm around her.) 

Cora {evading him). Now, if you want me to do up your 
hand, you just stop your foolishness ; I haven't any time for 
nonsense, {Pours linitnent on the hand.) There, that ought 
to make it 



HOW JIM MADE GOOD 1 3 

Jim {jumping). Jerusalem, Cora, what in thunder is that 

stuff? 

Cora {laughing). Arnica, Jim; it's grand for a hen bite. 

Jim. Well, it orter be; it nips worser'n old speckle did. 

Cora. Oh, pshaw ! What a fuss a man makes over a little 
pain. Now, you help me set the table. Take hold of that end. 
{They bring table to f. c.) Oh, set it straight; there, that's 
it. Now, you fold up the cloth while I put the white one on. 
(Jim very awkward; Cora covies to his assistance.) What a 
botch you are making of it. Here, now you take those two 
corners, so,— now fold them together this way. (Jim watches 
and obeys.) Now bring it up to me. (Jim does so, and as 
their hands meet he snatches a kiss from Cora, who promptly 
slaps his face.) There ! now see if that will make you behave 
yourself. 

Jim {holding on to his face). Wow ! but you hadn t orter 
hit a feller Hke that. I was only ■ 

Cora. Jim Jones, don't you dare to try that again, or I'll 
get Mr. Wayne to come in and help me set the table. 

{Laughs; aside.) 

Jim. Oh, say, Cora, you wouldn't do that now, would ye? 

Cora {putting away red cloth). Oh, I don't know; he 
looks as though he might have a little sense. See if you can 
help me get this cloth on now. 

{They spread white cloth on table.) 

Enter Mrs. L., r. i e. 

Mrs. L. Jim, you'll have to go out and bring in an armful 
of wood. [^:v/VCora, r. I E. 

Jim. Yes, marm; but, say 

Mrs. L. Now, do go along, and see if you can't hurry a 
little for once. 

Jim. I alius hurry. Say, Mrs. Lovejoy. 

Mrs. L. Well, what is it now ? 

Jim. It's Cora. 

Mrs. L. Oh, dear, it's always Cora with you ; what's she 
been up to now ? . , , 

Jim. I believe from somethin' she said that she's a-goin' ^t 
try t' make up to this new school-teacher, an' I wish't you'd 
talk to her a little. You know I 



14 HOW JIM MADE GOOD 

Mrs. L. Nonsense, Jim, I've no patience with you. I 
suppose she's been teasing you again. If you were not so 
stupid you could see that she thought the world of you. 

Jim {brightening up). D'ye think she does ? 

Mrs. L. Of course I do. Now, do go along and get that 
wood. 

Jim {rubbing his cheek). Well, if she likes me, she's got a 
mighty funny way a-sbowin' it. [^Exit, R. u. E. 

Enter Cora, r. i e. She has a pile of dishes and table ware 
on a tray ; she and Mrs. L. arrange the table as they 
talk. 

Mrs. L. Cora, what have you been saying to Jim now ? 

Cora. Me? Why? 

Mrs. L. Now don't you look so innocent ; you know you've 
been teasing him again. 

Cora {indignantly). ** Teasing him"? The big booby! 
Has he been complaining to you about me? 

Mrs. L. It's too bad for you to treat him the way you do ; 
he is such a good fellow, if he is a little 

Cora {laughing). A little what, Mrs. Lovejoy? 

Mrs. L. {sfniling). Oh, a little slow, but {Shout 

heard off &.) Good gracious ! What's that? 

Cora {looking off r.). Ha, ha, ha ! It's Jim, of course; 
he's coming across the yard with an armful of wood, and old 
Billy the ram is chasing him. He's coming right in here. 
{Screams.) Hurry, Jim ! Oh, gracious — look out ! 

Enter Jim, r. u. e. He has armful of ivood. He falls as he 
enters, sprawls on floor, and the wood goes in all direc- 
tions. 

Mrs. L. Mercy on me, Jim, who let old Billy out ? 

Jim {helped 2ip by Cora ; rubbing Imnself painfully). I 
dunno, but he got me all right ; caught me just as I was comin' 
in th' door. Ow ! {Rubs himself again.) 

Cora {suppressijig a laugh). Well, anyway, you got a move 
on for once {piling the wood on Jim's arm), didn't you? 

Jim. Humph ! That's all you care. Don't believe you'd 
felt sorry if Billy'd killed me. 

Mrs. L. Oh, yes, she would, Jim ; don't be silly. 

(Jim li??tps off v..) 



HOW JIM MADE GOOD 1$ 

Cora. Here, Jim. {Takes up bottle of liniment.^ 
^\u {sourly). Well, what d'ye want? 
Cora. Hadn't you better take the arnica along with you ? 
Maybe you'll need it. 

Jim. No, I hadn't; da.m you, and your arnica, too. 

{Lt'mps off R. I E. Cora sinks into a chair laughing un- 
controllably.) 
Cora. Oh, my, oh, my; that big goose will be the death 

of me yet. . u j 

Mrs. L. {trying to be severe). You ought to be ashamed 
the way you pester him. Come, now, you help me get the food 
onto the table {reenter Jim), and, Jim, you set the chairs 
around the table and then ring the bell for the rest of the folks. 

\_Exeunt Mrs. L. and Cora, r. i e. 

Jim {slamming chairs around table). She seems to think 

gittin' butted by a ram is terrible funny, but {rubbing himself) 

she wouldn't done any laughing if it had a-been her, I bet ye. 

{Takes large dinner-bell, goes off R. u. E. and rings it long 

and loud.) 
Enter Cora, r. i e., with food, which she puts on table. 

Cora. Good gracious ! {Holds her ears.) What a clat- 
ter ! {Calls off.) That'll do, Jim. {No reply.) Jim !— Oh, 
Jim ! {Bell keeps on. Cora runs off, reenters, dragging Jim, 
who is still ringing bell. Cora grabs bell. ) For mercy ' s sake, 
are you calling the whole county to dinner ? 

Jim {still trying to ring). Well, she told me to ring it and 
that's what I was doin'. 

Cora. I should think you was, fit to wake the dead. Now 
you go brush your hair and see if you can't look a little decent 
for the first meal Mr. Wayne is going to have 

Jim. Darn Mr. Wayne. Now see here, Cora • 

Cora. Oh, go along. {Pushes him off L. u. e.) 

Enter Mrs. L., r. i e., with food. Enter Eben, r. u. e. 

Eben. Supper ready, ma? 

Mrs. L. Yes, Eben, soon's the rest get here ; here they 

come now. 

Enter Walt, and Lucy, c. d. 

Eben. Well, I'm goin' out to the kitchen t'^wash up a little. 



1 6 HOW JIM MADE GOOD 

Mrs. L. Hurry up, pa, before things get cold. 

Eben. Be back in two shakes of a cow's tail. 

[Ext/, R. I E. 

Mrs. L. Did you have a nice walk ? 

Lucy. Yes, indeed, mother. 

Walt. Fine, Mrs. Lovejoy, fine. The country is looking 
beautiful now; I enjoyed the walk immensely. (Looks at 
Lucy, who\turns away.') We went down through the pasture 
to the orchard, and 

Cora. Through the pasture? Did you leave the bars 
down? 

Walt. I don't remember. {Looks at Lucy.) Did we, 
Miss Lovejoy ? 

Lucy. I am sure I don't know, Cora. Why ? 

Cora {laughing). I guess you must have, for old Billy got 
out some way and chased Jim across the yard and butted him 
into the house with an armful of wood. You should have seen 
him ; it was too funny for anything. 

(All laugh but Walt.) 

Walt. I am very sorry for my neglect ; I hope he was not 
hurt. 

Cora. Nothing but what he'll get over all right ; a little 
something like that once in a while to hurry Jim up would be 
a good thing. 

£fiti!r Kben, r. IE., with coffee-pot, which he puts on table. 

Eben. Come on, set up, Mr. Wayne. Where's Jim ? 
(Enter Jim, l. u. e.) Oh, here he is now. (All sit down; 
Mrs. \,. pours coffee; Eben starts to wait on table.) Guess 
if you're all as hungry as I be you won't stand much on cere- 
mony. ( Whinny of horse heard outside.) Hark ! What's 
that? 

Ttm. Sounded like old Nellie out to the barn. Think there's 
..n\ thing wrong out there? 

Eben. Oh, no; she likely ain't got over missin' her colt 
yet. Well, Mr. Wayne, find anything 'round th' farm t' in- 
terest ye? 

Walt. Oh, yes, a good deal ; I was just saying to Mrs. 
Lovejoy that 

(Horse heard again, louder,) 



HOW JIM MADE GOOD 1 7 

Eben. Jim, guess )'ou'd better go out an' see 'f there's any- 
thing wrong. (^Exit Jim, r. u. e.) There must be something 
or the old mare wouldn't 

Reenter Jim, much excited, 

Jim. Th' barn's afire ! Come quick ! 

{All jump up.) 

Walt. What? 

Lucy. Oh, dear ! 

Cora. Jim ! 

Eben. Great Jerusalem ! Come, everybody. 

{All start.') 



CURTAIN 



ACT II 

SCENE. — Kitchen in the Lovejoy home a month later. Tabic 
C, smaller table at R., stove back i.., or a screen may be placed 
in such a manner as to indicate a stove behind it at this spot. 
A few cominon chairs aronnd, one sjnall rocker. 

(Mrs. L. and Cora are discovered at curtain rise. Mrs. L. 
is putting things on table c.,for making biscuits. Large 
earthenware dish, flour in pan, large spoon, etc. Cora 
is workifig at an ironing board, irotiing large cooking 
apron.) 

Mrs. L. How near done with the ironing are you, Cora? 

Cora. Only a few more pieces, Mrs. Lovejoy. 

Mrs. L. Well, you might put your iron on the stove a min- 
ute and go out and tell Jim to dress a chicken for dinner. I 
am going to mix up some biscuits, and you can attend to baking 
them as soon as you get the ironing done. 

Cora. Very well. {^Goes to stove with flat-iron ; returns 
laughing.) Shall I tell him to cut the chicken's head off? 

{Goes r.) 

Mrs. L. How absurd of you, Cora. 

Cora. Oh, well, you know if I don't, he is just as likely to 
cut off its feet first. Ha, ha ! 

Mrs. L. Cora, you'll find out some time that Jim's a good 
deal smarter than you give him credit for being. (Cora goes 
off r. u. e., laughing.) That girl's a born tease if there ever 
was one. But she'll get her eyes open to Jim's good qualities 
one of these days. {Gets busy at the biscuits.) 

Enter Eben, l. u. e., with letter in his hand. 

Eben. Busy, ma? 

Mrs. L. Yes, Eben, I'm mixin' up a batch of biscuits for 
dinner. 

Eben. Biscuits, eh ! Well, that sounds kinder good t* 
me, ma. 

i8 



HOW JIM MADE GOOD IQ 

Mrs. L. Oh, yes, of course, and I suppose fried chicken 
will sound even better. 

Eben. What? {Affects anger.) Been makin' another raid 
on my chicken-coop ? 

Mrs. L. Good land, Eben, you alius pretend to make a 
fuss whenever we kill one of your chickens, but I've noticed a 
good many times that there isn't any one who enjoys eatin' 'em 
any more than you do. 

Eben. Ha, ha ! Guess you're right there, ma ; we won't 
quarrel over one chicken, more or less, 'specially if it happens 
to be a nice fat one. But see here, I've got a letter from Brown 
over to Norton. He says he'll take the valley farm at my 
price, and that he'll be over to the hotel t'-morrer afternoon to 
close the bargain. 

Mrs. L. Why don't he come up here, Eben ? 

Eben. Oh, I made th* appointment at the hotel because 
'twould be handy t' th' bank. Then I can deposit the money, 
ye know, and not have any more bother with it. Fd like t' 
have you come into th' settin'-room an' sign th' papers; guess 
you can leave them biscuits a minnit, can't ye? 

{At the beginning of Eben's last speech Steve comes in l. 
u. e., unnoticed. He pauses and listens unobserved ; 
slips out again as Eben and his wife start to go.) 

Mrs. L. Oh, yes, I guess so. ( Wipes her hands on her 
apron.) Cora' 11 be right back, and she can tend to them. 

{They start L. Steve enters l. i e.) 

Eben. Why, ma, here's Steve. 

Mrs. L. Well, I declare, so 'tis. Good-mornin', Steve; 
wliere under the sun have you been the last few weeks? 

Steve {evasively). Oh, on a little trip ; where' s Lucy, 
aunt? 

Mrs. L. Out for a walk, I believe. 

Eben. Come t' think on't, Steve, I don't believe we've seen 
ye 'round here sence th' fire. 

Steve {starting; aside). The fire? {To Eben.) Oh, 
yes, I believe I did hear something about the barn. I'd for- 
gotten all about it. Do much damage? 

Eben. No, not much ; insurance company repaired it. 

Steve. I — er — suppose you do not know anything about 
how it caught ? 



20 HOW JIM MADE GOOD 

Eben. Haven't an idee, but th' insurance folks seemed t* 
think 'twas set, 'specially as there has been a number o' ruther 
mysterious fires 'round th' neighborhood this summer. They 
did talk some about sendin' a detective or somebody else down 
here t' look into th' matter, but 

Steve {starting agaiti). A detective ? 

Eben. Yes ; guess they give it up, though, as we ain't heerd 
anything more about it. 

Steve {laughing easily). No wonder they did ; it's an ab- 
surd idea. Probably Jim or somebody had been out there tak- 
ing a sly smoke and 

Mrs. L. Steve, I don't like to hear any such talk as that. 
There's nothing sly about Jim ; he's a good, honest boy, and 
't wouldn't do no harm \i you was to pattern after him a little bit. 

(Steve shrugs his shoulders y but does not reply. Exeunt 
Eben ^«^ Mrs. L., l. i e.) 

Steve {looking after them and laughing sneerifigly). Jim ! 
Bah, the big fool. {Sits down i?t chair.) A detective, eh ? 
{Seems to be thinking deeply; lights a cigarette.) Pshaw! 
Let him come; what could he find out, anyway? But what 
was the old skinflint saying about selling Valley Farm ? Let 
me see, didn't he want two — no, by Jove ! It was three thou- 
sand for that little piece of property. Whew ! Three thou- 
sand, that would look pretty good to me. I wonder if there's 

any way {Thinks.) There's no use talking, I've got to 

have a bunch of th' stuff j-^w^ way. H'm ! {Rises.) I be- 
lieve I'll go down and have a talk with Si; perhaps 

{Enter Walt, and L.ucy, r. u. e., talking and laughing ; they 
do not notice Steve at first.) Hullo, here's the college lout. 
H'm, he and Lucy seem to be getting on very good terms ; I'll 
have to find some way to 

Lucy {lookitig around). Why, hullo, Steve, Avhere in the 
world did you appear from ? {Takes his hand.) 

Walt, {advancing with extended hand). How do you do, 
Mr. Hammond ? Glad to see you back again. 

Steve {ignoring Walt.). Lucy, I would like to speak to 
you a moment. 

Lucy {removing her hat). Very well; what do you want 
to say ? 

Steve. What I have to say is iox you, but not for any inter- 
loper to hear. 

Walt, {indignantly). What do you mean, sir? 



HOW JIM MADE GOOD 21 

Lucy {laying hand on Walt.'s ami). Mr. Wayne, please 

-please do not mind him. 

Walt. But 

Lucy. Please. 

Walt. Very well, Miss Lovejoy ; shall I retire ? 

Steve. Oh, let him go, Lucy; we can get along without his 
company. 

Walt, {quietly). It shall be zs, you say. Miss Lucy. 

Lucy. 1 wish you to stay ; Mr. Hammond can have noth- 
ing to say to me that you may not hear. 

Steve. ''Mr. Hammond," eh? {Meanly.) You are get- 
ting very formal with the man you are engaged to, since you 
have gotten a new string to your 

Walt. Stop ! What you may say to me is of little conse- 
quence, but I advise you to have a care how you insult a lady 
in my presence. 

Steve. Do you ? I'd like to know what authority you have 
to interfere ? 

Walt. None, perhaps, except that which any man has to 
protect a lady from the insults of a coward like you. 

Steve {hotly). Coward ? I'll show you. {Jumps and 
strikes at Walt., who evades the blow, and promptly knocks 
him down. Enter ]\m, followed by Cora, r. u. e., as Steve 
attacks y^ ALT. They pa7ise in astonishment, ^t^n^ jumps up 
wild with rage.) I'll fix you for that, you 

{Grabs large knife from table and rushes for V^Ain:. Jim 
Jumps in, overpowers Steve, wrenches knife away and 
throws him violently to the floor.) 

Jim. You cowardly cur, I alius knowed ye was a bad one, 
but I didn't think ye was capable of murder. Git up. {Fulls 
Steve to his feet.) Now git ! {Points off l.) 

Steve. I suppose you think two against one is fair play, 
but ( Going. ) 

Jim {with contempt). Fair play ! You're a nice one t' talk 
about fair play, ain't ye? 

Steve. You'll both pay 

Jim {niaking threatening gesture). Oh, git out. 

[Exit Steve, l. u. e. 

{During the above the girls, alarmed, have been clinging 
together.) 

Walt, {grasping Jim's hand). Jim, you were just in time. 



22 HOW JIM MADE GOOD 

Lucy. Oh, wasn't he? 

Cora (ad7?itrifigly). Why, Jim, I didn't know you could 
move so quick. 

Jim. Oh, pshaw ! It was no trouble to handle him ; he 
ain't more'n half a man, anyway. Come on, Cora, an' help 
me ketch that blamed chicken. 

{^Exeunt Jim and Cora, r. u. e. 

Lucy. I was so frightened. Why, Mr. Wayne, he might 

have 

Enter Mrs. L., l. i e. 

Mrs. L. Oh, so you've got back, have you? I guess 
maybe you'd better go ahead with those biscuits I just started, 
Lucy; I'm busy with pa in th' settin'-room. What was that 
noise I heard out here a little while ago ? 

Lucy {looking warningly at Walt.). Oh, nothing much, 
mother ; Jim was going through some of his antics. You run 
along now and I'll attend to the biscuits. 

{Rolls up her sleeves. Exit Mrs. L., l. i e.) 

Walt, {eagerly). Can't I assist you in some way? 

Lucy {laughing). You? Help make biscuits? {Gets 
things ready.) The idea. 

Walt. Sure. I used to be the head cook in our camping 
club. 

Lucy. Did you? All right; I'll see what you can do. 
Here, the flour is all ready. {Gets dipper of milk.) 

Walt. So am I. 

{Rolls back his cuffs ; seizes large spoon.) 

Lucy. You stir now as I pour the milk in. 

Walt, {stirring hard). I hope this won't be another case 
of too many cooks spoiling the biscuits. {Both laugh.) 

Lucy. I hope not, I am sure. Look, you are getting flour 
all over you ! Here {taking large cookifig apron from ironing 
board) — let me put this on you. {She puts the apron on him ; 
he looks at her admiringly as she does so.) There — now you 
look something like a cook. {Both resume ivork.) 

Walt, {stirring vigorously). You'd better be getting the 
pans ready ; this mixture will be done in about two seconds. 

Lucy {getting out pans and mixing board). Ha, ha ! 
That shows how much you know about it ; it has to be kneaded 
first. 



HOW JIM MADE GOOD 23 

Walt. Oh, yes, I'd forgotten all about that. 

Lucy (^sprinkling flour on board). Of course you did. 
When it comes to cooking, men always forget the most impor- 
tant part. 

Walt. And I suppose you think that makes their bread all 
dough. 

Lucy (smiling). I guess it would be funny bread yo7!- 
would make if you were left alone. Let me have it now. 
(Turns dough out on mixing board.) Please get me the 
rolling-pin. 

(Kneads away ; Walt, gets pin and stands looking on^ 
rolling-pin in one handy big spoon in the other. ) 

Walt, {seriously). Miss Lucy, will you permit me to ask 
you a question ? 

Lucy. Why, of course you may. What is it ? 

Walt. If I thought you would not be offended. 

Lucy (intent on the dough). Offended? Oh, I do not 
think you would offer to say anything that would be likely to 
offend me, Mr. Wayne. 

Walt. Say Walter, won't you ? It sounds so much better. 

Lucy. Well, Walter, tlien. (Laughs rather nervously.) 

Walt. That's much better, thank you. What I want to 
ask is about your cousin. 

Lucy (looking up wonder ingly). Do you mean Steve Ham- 
mond ? 

Walt. Yes. You know I could not help hearing what he 
said a little while ago. Is it true, Lucy ? — I mean Miss Lucy. 

Lucy. Oh, never mind about the Miss any more ; but I do 
not think I just remember what it was you had reference to in 
regard to Steve, Mr. 

Walt. Now, now ! (Shakes a finger at her.) Mr. again. 

Lucy (laughing). I mean Walter. 

Walt. I mean what he said about your being engaged. 
May I venture to ask if it was true ? 

Lucy (indignantly). True? Of course it wasn't true; 
there was not a word of truth in it, and he knew it when he 
said that. 

(Walt, takes a turn across the room, still holding spoon 
and rolling-pin in his hand ; returns.) 

Walt. I cannot tell you how glad I am to hear you say 
that, Lucy, for you know that I — I 



24 HOW JIM MADE GOOD 

(^She looks up at hit?i, then looks down quickly, and kneads 
furiously at the dough.) 

Lucy. Y-es ? 

Walt. For I Oh, I don't know how to say what I 

want to, Lucy, but I love you myself; I've loved you ever since 
my eyes first rested on your sweet face. Don't you think you 
could learn to love 

Lucy. Oh, Walter ! 

{She throws her arms impulsively around his neek, her 
hands, all covered with flour, leaving large imprints on 
the back of his black vest. Walt, embraces her raptur- 
ously ; he still holds the spoon and rolling-pin. Ab- 
sorbed in each other they do not notice this.') 

Walt, (kissing her). This is more than I dared to hope, 
dear ; you do not know how happy you have made me. 

Lucy. You dear old stupid {taking his face in her two 
palms, and covering his cheeks with flour), couldn't you see 
that I was as bad as you were ? 

Walt. Come, dear, let's go and speak to your mother and 
father right away. 

{He places arm around her and they go off 'L. i E., looking 
at each other devotedly. ) 

Enter Cora, r. i e. , as they start to go ; she sees them, stops 
astonished, then bursts out laughing. 

Cora. Ha, ha, ha ! Oh, my ! If that isn't a case of love 
in the kitchen I never saw one. And good gracious ! there's 
the biscuits not cut out yet, and Mr. Wayne's gone off with the 
rolling-pin. Well, maybe he will bring it back when he gets 
down out of the clouds. Meanwhile I'll finish my ironing. 
{Gets iron from stove.) There's only one more piece. {Irons 
vigorously.) What geese people do make of themselves when 
they are in love. The idea of mixing biscuits and rolling-pins, 
flour and kisses, all in one batch ! Ha, ha ! Catch me making 
such a fool of myself. {Enter Jim, r. i e., followed by Tramp.) 
For mercy sakes, who have you got with you, Jim ? 

Jim. Don't ask me, Cora ; that is if ye want t' know, — this 
feller just come inter th' yard, an' when I asked him what he 
wanted, I could not git a word outer him, only a lot o' monkey 
business with his fingers. Guess he's what they call a deef an' 
dum mute. 



HOW JIM MADE GOOD ^ 2$ 

Cora. H'm — he looks as though he would bear watching. 
(To Tramp.) What do you want? (Tramp 77iakes signs on 
[fingers.) Good land, Jim, I can't understand such talk as 
that ; if / had to talk like that I'd simply die. Of course it's 
not much I have to say, anyway, but I wouldn't want to have 
to say that little on the ends of my fingers. ( Conies close to 
Tramp.) I say, what do you want? 

(Tramp looks from one to the other and shakes head.) 

Jim. Oh, shucks, Cora, didn't I tell you he was deef ; let 
me try him. {Makes grotesque signs on his fingers. Tramp 
laughs and shakes his head. ]iu forgets and bawls.) What 
d'ye want, anyway, hey? 

Cora. You big simpleton, didn't you. just tell me he 
couldn't hear? 

Jim {confused ; scratching his head). Thunder ! Guess I 
am a fool. 

CoKi^ {scornfully). *' Guess"? Huh! There's no guess- 
work about it; it's as plain as the nose on your face, and 
goodness knows that's not very hard to see. Ha, ha ! (Jim 
rubs his nose sheepishly. Meanwhile Tramp has taken out a 
small slate and written something on it ; hands it to Cora. 
Cora reads.) Why, of course; if we hadn't both been fools 
we might have known. He says he wants something to eat. 

Jim. You don't say? 

Cora {puttifig away ironing board). Take him into the 
outside kitchen, Jim, and I'll see what I can find. 

Jim. All right. {To Tramp.) Come along o' me, colonel. 

{Exit Jim, r. i e. Tramp, fiot seeing Jim go ojfy remains 
still.) 

Cora. Well, if that Jim isn't the limit. Ha, ha ! {Calls.) 
Jim ! Oh, Jim ! 

Jim {returning). Well, why didn't ye foller me when I 

told {Sees Cora laughing.^ Oh, darn it all, 1 forgot 

agin. {Seizes Tramp and drags him off bodily.) 

Enter Lucy, l. i e., with rolling-pin, 

Cora {at table). Why, Miss Lucy, did you have the roll- 
ing-pin ? I've been looking all around 

Lucy {smiling). Yes, Cora, I had it ; that is, I mean Mr. 
Wayne had it. 



26 HOW JIM MADE GOOD 

Co^p^ {in pretended surprise). Mr. Wayne? What could 
he 



Lucy. Oh, he went into the other room in a little bit of a 
hurry, and I forgot I — or we {confused') — all about it. 

Cora {demurely). Oh, maybe you were tliinking of some- 
thing else? 

Lucy. Yes, I guess I must have been. Now I'll finish 
rolling out these biscuits 

Cora. You needn't; I'm through with the ironing now 
and can tend to them as well as not ; but if you have time, there 
is a deaf and dumb tramp in the outside kitchen with Jim, who 
wants something to eat ; perhaps you could get him a bite ; 
there is plenty out there. 

Lucy. Poor man ; yes, I'll attend to his wants. 

\_Exity R. I E. 

Cora {rolling out dough). Lucy's the dearest girl in Hill- 
side, and everybody loves her. Mr. Wayne's a lucky man, if 
there ever was one. But he's a nice fellow, I am sure. I do 
hope they will be happy. {Sighs.) 

Enter Jim, r. u. e. Jle has a dressed chicken in his hand. 

Jim {holding the chicken up). Well, Cora, there she is ! 

Cora. What under the sun are you talking about ? There 
who is ? 

Jim. Old Speckle. Ha, ha ! You bet she got it in the 
neck this time. You'd oughter saw her floppin' 'round after I'd 
cut her head off. 

Cora {holding her ears). Jim 1 you stop. You ought to 
be ashamed of yourself, you cruel thing — the poor old hen. 

Jim. ** Poor old hen " — shucks ! Her bitin' days are over, 
anyway; though p'raps she'll have just one more pick comin' 
to her yet. 

Cora {cutting out biscuits). One more pick? What do 
you mean by that ? 

Jim {sitting on edge of table). Why, when we pick her 
bones. Ah, ha, ha ! 

Cora {throwing biscuit at him). Get out, you 

Jim (dodging). Say, Cora (laying chicken down on table), 
goin' t' th' races with me t'-morrer? 

Cora. Oh, I don't know. Joe was wanting me to go with 
him, and maybe I will ; I haven't decided yet what I'm going 
to do. 

Jim {contemptuously). Huh ! Joe Davis, that little sissy 



HOW JIM MADE GOOD 27 

boy ? You 'n' him would look pretty t'gether, wouldn't ye, 
now? 

Cora (tossing her head). Of course we would. Joe's a 
real nice-looking boy; there's nothing awkward about him 
(looking slyly at Jim), and he wears such pretty clothes, too. 

Jim. Yes, Mamma Davis presses 'em out for him every 
night after little boy Joe goes t' bed. (Cora has hard work 
not to laughJ) But speakin' of clothes, — mebby ye didn't know 
I'd bought a new suit fer t'-morrer? 

Cora. No ; have you, Jim ? 

Jim. You bet ye; surest thing you know. Just wait till 
you see it ; it's a regular lemon of a suit. 

Cora {laughing), Jim, you'll kill me yet ; you mean peach, 
don't you ? 

Jim. Mebby I do ; any rate, it's a dandy. Say, Cora {com- 
ing close), you will go with me, won't you? 

{Attempts to put arm around her.) 

Cora {twisting aivay). I won't if you do not behave 
{brandishing the rolling-pin), and let me get these biscuits into 
the oven. 

Jim {growing bolder). Darn th' biscuits; I want t' tell ye 
somethin', Cora, 

Cora {putting biscuits in pa?i). Oh, bother, I wish you'd 
clear out and let me alone. 

Jim. I will in a minnit, but afore I do I'm a-goin' t' tell ye 
how much I think of ye, Cora — that I love ye, an' — an' — er — 
oh, say somethin', can't ye? 

Cora {pleased, but busy). Oh, there's nothing for me to 
say ; you seem to be doing all the talking. 

Jim. There's one thing I know of that ye might say. 

Cora. Is there ? What is it ? 

Jim {coming close to her). You can say — Jim, I love ye. 

Cora. Maybe I can, but I won't all the same. 

Jim. Won't ye ? 

Cora. No, I won't, so you can 

Jim {suddenly grabbing and holding her). Oh, yes, ye will. 
Now, see here, Miss High an' Mitey, you've driven me 'round 
the track a good little bit ever sence I've knowed ye, but now 
rm a-goin' t' take th' ribbons in my hands for a spell. 

Cora {struggliiig ). You let me go or you'll be 

Jim. Well, then, say it. 



28 HOW JIM MADE GOOD 

Cora. Never. 

Jim. Say — Jim. 

Cora. I will not. 

Jim. Say it. 

Cora. Well— Jim. 

Jim. Good ; now the rest. 

Cora. If I do, it will only be because you make me. 

Jim. That's all right ; say — I love ye. 

Cora. I — I love you. There, I hope you are satisfied. 

Now let me 

Jim. Not quite; you've got t' kiss me. 
Cora. No, sir. (^Struggles.) 
Jim. Yes, you will. 

{Lifts up her chin with one hand ; she kisses him,^ 

Cora {wrefiching away). Now, I wish you'd go away and 
let me alone. 

{She laughs and arranges her hair.) 

Jim. Not till I have one more. 

Cora. Not another one. 

Jim. What ? {He tries to kiss her again ; she dodges around 
table, and finding herself hard pressed, she seizes a handful of 
flour from the pan and throws it fair in his face. Jim splut- 
ters and shouts .) Wow ! 0\v ! You come here and get this 
stuff outer my eyes, you confounded little 

(Eben and Mrs. L. come rushing in l. u. e., Walt, and 
Lucy, r. i "e.., followed by Tramp, who is eating a large 
piece of pie from one hand, and making word signs with 
the other.') 



Eben 

wIlt." \{^^-^^^S'iher). 

Lucy 



' What's happened ? 
Oh, what is it? 
Who's killed? 
Jim, Jim, are you hurt? 
Jim {straightening up). She did it ; look at me. 
Cora {screaming with laughter). Yes, just look at him. 
{Points.) Ha, ha, ha ! {All laugh.) 



CURTAIN 



ACT III 

SCENE — Office room in Hillside hotel. Small counter 
back c, with register laying open. Case with cigar boxes 
displayed on one end of counter. Small table and two chairs 
back L. Small table and two chairs r. f. Placards on 
wall j newspapers on tables. 

(Eben discovered sitting at table r. f., reading a paper.') 

Eben {yawning and putting down paper). Y-a-h, hum, 
wonder what's a-keepin' Brown? Said he'd'be here at five 
o'clock, 'n' it's {looking at watch) pretty near half-past already. 
Guess he must a-stayed out t' th' race-track t' see that that ht- 
tle mare o' his was rubbed down right. Dunno's I blame him 
much if he did — about th' nicest httle piece 'r horse flesh I 
ever laid eyes on. Say, Je-r^^-salem, how she could go. But 
confound it, this'U throw me too late for th' bank, an' I dunno's 

I like that very much. However, — guess th' {Looks 

around.) H'm, guess it'll be safe enough at home for one 
night, 'specially 's ma 'n' I are th' only ones who know any- 
thing about the thing. P'raps Brown's been here {rising) 
already ; I'll have a look at th' book. {Goes to counter ; turns 
register around.) H'm, — Mayhew — Smith — Robinson; seems 
t' be a pretty good string o' people here t'-day ; s'pose it's on 
account o' th' races. U-m. Oh, here he is sure enough, — 

*'J. B. Brown, Norton"; that's him. Now, 1 wonder- 

(E7iter Si, R. u. E. ; goes behind counter.) Hullo, Si. I see 
Mr. Brown's been here. Know where he is now ? 

Si. Up in No. 14. Want t' see him? 

Eben. That's what I come in for. 

Si. All right, Eben, I'll go up an' tell him you're down 
here. {Starts.) 

Eben. Hold on. Si, I'll go up along. Guess I'll git a few 
seegars fust, though. 

Si. What kind d'ye want, Eben? {Goes to case.) 

Eben. Oh, it don't make no difference t' me 's long as 
they draw well. Ha, ha ! Yes, them'll do. Here ye go. 
{Pays.) Here, Si {offering one), smoke up with me. 

29 



OO HOW JIM MADE GOOD 

Si. Well, I don't care, Eben. ( Tkey light up.) 
Eben. Come on now ; I'll go up an' see Brown. 
Si. This way. [Exeunt both, R. u. E. 

Enter Tramp, l. i e. He looks around and seeing no one 
sits at table back h., places elbows on table and reads 
paper. After a few moments his head drops on table and 
he appears to go to sleep. Enter Steve, l. i e. He 
crosses to table r. but does not see Tramp. Sits ifi chair 
left of table. 

Steve. Wonder if Brown's turned up yet? (^Looks over 
shoulder toward R.) I saw Uncle Eben coming over this way 
a little while ago. {Lights a cigarette.) Looks as though every- 
thing was going the way Staples and I had it doped out. 
Where is Si, anyway ? {Again looks over right shoulder.) 
Said for me to meet him here at half-past five. Looks rather 
risky to me — a public place like this ; but maybe he thought 

that would make it look as though H'm ! Suppose XW- 

have to wait. {Picks up paper and reads.) 

Enter Si, r. u. e. He comes right dow?i to the table where 
Steve u, and does not notice the sleeping man at the other 
table. Takes chair back of table ^..f facing front. Steve 
is sitting in chair left, so they should both be back to 
Tramp. 

Si {guardedly). Well, you are here, I see. 
Steve. Yes. Where were you ? 
Si. Up-stairs. 

{Looks significantly at Steve ; makes gesture toward upper 
regions.) 

Steve {eagerly). Both? 

Si {noddifig). Both of 'em. Oh, everything's working out 
to the Queen's taste. 

Steve {leaning over and speaking still lower). How about 
the — you know ? 

Si. It's all right — three thousand. 

Steve. Are you sure? How do you know ? 

Si. Humph ! What do you take me for ? Keyholes are 
made for other purposes than just for stickin' keys into. {Both 
laugh.) Now, Eben will have t' take the stuff home with him, 



HOW JIM MADE GOOD 3I 

as th' bank is closed. You said you knew where he would be 
most apt to put it to-night ? 

Steve. I ought to; I've been there times enough before 
this. {Laughs.) 

Si. Well, then Sh-h ! Here comes some one. {Very 

loud.') Ha, ha, ha ! That's the best one I have heard for a 
month. 

(^Both laugh. Walt, heard speaking off i..) 

' Walt. Wait a moment, doctor ; I'll be right out. (^E filers 
L. IE.; crosses over.) Good-afternoon, Mr. Staples. Is Mr. 
Lovejoy in the house? I was told he came in here a little 
while ago. 

Si. I believe so, Mr, Wayne. I think he is making a call 
up- stairs somewhere. Want me t' call him down ? 

Walt. Oh, no, it's not at all necessary ; but I would be 
obliged if you would tell him when he does come down that I 
am going to take supper with the doctor and may not be home 
before midnight, as I have something I am interested in to look 
up. Tell him he can leave the door open for me, will you ? 

Si (looking quickly at Steve). Certainly, certainly. I'll 
be very glad to do so, Mr. Way>ie. 

(Steve and Walt, do not notice each other.) 

Walt. Thank you very much. Good-day to you. 

( Goes L. ) 

Si. Oh, that's all right ; call again. 
Walt. I will, thanks. 

(Walt, gives sharp glance at Tramp as he goes out l. i e.) 

Sfeve. Bah, — the cad ! I've got a score to settle with him 
later. 

Si. I heard about it. 

Steve. The devil you did ! How? 

Si. Oh, never mind ; but {slyly) you didn't cut a very good 
figure in the affair according to what / heard. 

Steve [fiercely). Well, I will next time, by 

Si. Confound it, man, speak lower. However {with mean- 
ing), there's no time like the present, Steve. 

Steve. What do you mean by that? 

Si. Can't you see? 



32 how jim made good 

Steve. No. 

Si. Why, your friend Wayne (Steve shrugs his shoulders ; 
Si smiles^ has just played right into our hands. Listen now. 
You say you know where 

Steve. Yes ; in the sitting-room desk. 

Si. Well, you get there at eleven o'clock; I'll drive around 
the low road and leave the team in the woods — go up and wait 
a little piece down th' road. You ought to get th' job done in 
a few minutes, an' we'll get away just as soon as you get to 
where I am. Now you heard what Wayne said just now, about 
being home late — this will be one link in the chain of evidence 
we can work up to throw suspicion on him when Eben dis- 
covers what's happened. See ? 

Steve {eagerly). By Jove, Si, do you think it will work? 

Si. Of course it will ; can't help it. 

Steve. All right then (rising), I'll see you again be- 
fore ( Turns to go and catches sight of sleeping Tramp ; 

gives startled exclamation, points; Sl starts also.) S-s-t ! 
Do you think he heard ? 

Si {going stealthily over, looks, comes back smiling). Heard ? 
Nothing. That's a deaf and dumb tramp we fed here to-day ; 
no danger from him. Guess he's been drinking, too. 

Steve. Are you sure ? 

Si. Pooh ! Look here. {Returns to Tramp ; shakes him 
roughly.) Here, you, wake up. {The man appears dis- 
turbed, but does not waken. Si shakes him harder. He looks 
up stupidly, makes a few maudlin signs on his fingers, resufnes 
his sleep.) You see? Guess when he sleeps it off a little I'll 
have to take him over to th' cooler ; don't know how he got in 
here, anyway. (Steve shrugs his shoulders ; goes out l. i e.) 
Bah ! He's th' easiest proposition I ever had anything to do 
with. This job'U be th' last one I'll use him for, though ; he's 
too big a fool. [^Exit, r. i e. 

Enter Jim a7id Cora, l. i e. 

Jim. Come along, Cora ; you can set down here fer a spell 
an' git rested afore we go on up t' th' farm. 

Cora. Go on ? I'll not go another step. I never was so 
tired in all my born days. 

Jim. You'll not go on ? Why, how in time do ye ever ex- 
pect t' git home if ye don't? 

Cora. I don't know and I don't care. {Drops into a chair 
at table R.) You brought me down here, and you'll have to 



HOW JIM MADE GOOD 33 

get me back home again some way. But I'm not going to walk 
up to Hillside if I never get there. 

Jim. Whew ! {Aside J) Did ye e\er see sich a critter? 

Cora {yawning). Oh — h, m — y. 

Jim. Ha, ha ! Well, Cora, ye doi't need t' git peevish 
about it ; that's what I brought ye in here for. 

Cora. Wh-a-at, what for, J-i-m? {^Very sleepy.) 

Jim. T* git ye home without walkin' 

Cora. Why, — I — don't — know — wii-a-t you mean, J-i-m. 

(JVods, half asleep.) 

Jim. Didn't I see Mr. Lovejoy's rig outside? An' don't I 
know there's no one else down town from th' farm? We'll 
wait an' go up with him. ( While Jim is talking, Cora has 
dropped her head on her arm and gone to sleep. Jim goes over 
and shakes her very gently. ) Well, well, poor little gal ; she 
wasn't foolin' when she said she was tired, was she? [He 
smooths her hair, bends over and kisses her lightly.) Little 
one, I wonder if ye know how much I think of ye? I'll let ye 
sleep a little spell, I guess; it'll do ye good, and {looking 
around) it'll suit me to a T. U-m, he's here, eh? 

{He looks off 'R., then L., approaches Tramp, touches him on 
the shoulder ; Tramp looks up and nods, A cough is 
heard off r. Jim gives a ivarning gesture, and Tramp 
quickly resumes his nap ; Jim grabs up paper, and turn- 
ing his back to the table, reads.) 

Enter Si, r. i e. 

Si. Hullo, Jim ; been t' th' races ? 

Jim. Yes, Si, me 'n' Cora. She's about all in. Ha, ha ! 

Si {smiling at Cora). Well, I should say so. It's a good 
thing Eben's in th' house ; you two can ride up with him, I 
s'pose. 

Jim. That's what I come in here for ; seen his rig standin' 
outside. Was you out t' th' races, Si ? 

Si. Nope. Didn't go; too busy, Jim. 

{Si goes behitid counter.) 

Jim (aside). Humph ! Too busy concoctin' deviltry, I 
guess. {To Si.) Well, ye missed it; you'd orter seen that 
little bay mare o' Brown's over t' Norton spin around th' track ; 



o^ HOW JIM MADE GOOD 

talk about goin' ! Why, she went like a ortermobile on a down 
grade, an' then some ; what was her name, now ? 

Si. Alic€ B, wasn't it ? 

Jim. No, that don't sound like it. Mebby it's in th' paper 
here. {Spreads paper open wide so as to conceal TsLAMVfrom 
Si.) Oh, here it is, now. Ahem! Wild Rose; that's it. 
{As Jim says ^^ Ahem T^ Tramp hastily writes something on 
his slate.') And she went as though she was wild, I tell ye. 

Si. Sorry I couldn't seen her go, Jim ; she must be a dandy. 

{As they talk Jim manages to reach behind him under cover 
of the papery unobserved by Si, but ifi view of the audiencCf 
and take the slate from Tramp. He reads it and slips it 
back ; Tramp hastily conceals it and goes to sleep again,) 

Jim. That's what she is ; it says here that she has done a 
mile in two minnits flat, and she would'r done as good as that 
t'-day if th' track hadn't been pretty heavy. {Puts down 
paper.) But say. Si, know when Mr. Lovejoy'll be ready t' 
leave ? 

Si. Orter be ready pretty soon, I guess. Say, Jim, you're 
a pretty accommodatin' sort of a feller — wonder if I couldn't 
git you t' help me boost that deaf an' dumb hobo over t' th' 
cooler; he's got a pretty good load on, I guess, an' he'll be a 
little too much for one man t' handle. I'm tired of havin' him 
around here; he's been layin' here asleep for th' last half 
hour. 

Jim. Oh, yes, guess I got time for that ; I'll let Cora have 
her nap out while I'm helpin' you ; that feller was up to our 
place yesterday. 

Si. Yes, he's been hangin* around town for a week or 
more. I'll have t' run him out t'-morrer after he gits sobered 
up a little. {Crosses and shakes Tramp.) Here, wake up, 
you. {After sotne trouble the man wakes up ; looks stupidly 
around ; tries to make a few word signs with his fitigers.) 
Oh, cut that out; I don't know what you're drivin' at; git a 
holder him, Jim, on tother side. Now, then, out he goes. 

( They stand him up. ) 

Jim. Come on, old hoss ! Gosh ! You're about th' fullest 
goose in th' pond. Stiddy, there. Whoa ! Ha, ha ! All 
prome-nayd. 



HOW JIM MADE GOOD 35 

{After some rather humorous evolutions they manage to drag 
him off L. I E.) 

Cora {waking up gradually). Oh, dear ! How sleepy I 
am. Why ! How did I come here? Oh, 1 remember now; 
goodness, I must have been asleep. {Looks around.') Where 
under the sun is Jim ? {Calls.) Jim ! — Jim ! {Stamps foot.) 
Jim ! Do you suppose he's gone home and left me here all by 
myself? It would be just like him, the great big stupid. 
Maybe I won't give him a piece of my mind when I get hold 
of him. The idea of his playing me such a mean trick as this. 
Oh ! I could {Stamps again.) 

Enter Eben, r. u. e. 

Eben. Hullo, Cora, what are you ravin* about now ? Ha, 
ha ! An' what are you doing here all by yourself? 

Cora {indignantly). I'm sure I don't know what I am 
doing here, Mr. Lovejoy. You'll have to ask Jim Jones when 
you see him ; he brought me in here, and now he's gone off 
home and left me {half crying) a-all a-lo-lone. 

Eben. Stuff an' nonsense, Cora. Jim wouldn't do a thing 
like that ; don't be foolish. He'll be back in a min 

Cora. He'd better not ! I wouldn't go home with him 
now, not if he should come back a hundred times. 

(Eben laughs.) 

Eben. Oh, pshaw ! 

Cora. Well, I wouldn't; you see if I 



Enter Jim, i.. i e. 

Jim {smiling). Hullo, Cora, had your nap out? (Cora 
tosses her head ; turns her back ; Jim, turning to Eben, does 
not notice.) Got room for us in th' rig? Cora was pretty 
tired, so I kinder thought 

Eben. Sure, Jim ; nobody but Wayne an' I goin' up 's I 
know on ; did you see anything of him ? Said he'd be here. 

Enter Si, L. i e. 

Jim. No ; did you. Si ? 

Si. Did I what? {Goes behind counter.) 

Jim. See Mr. Wayne around here? 

Si. Oh, Wayne ? Yes ; he was in here a little while ago ; 



36 HOW JIM MADE GOOD 

said he was goin' t* th* doctor's t' supper, I think; wanted me 
t* tell you folks he might not be home afore midnight ; said for 
you t' leave th' key out for him. 

Eben. All right ; come on, Jim, you 'n' Cora. (Moves l.) 

Jim. Come on, Cora. (JVo answer.^ I say — why, what's 
the matter? (Crosses over to her.) 

Eben {enjoying the scene'). Cora says you went off an* left 
her t' go home by herself, Jim ; how's that? 

Jim. Come now, Cora, you know I wouldn't do a thing like 
that, don't you? (Cora taps her foot.) I went out with Si, 
here; helped him take a drunken man t' th' lockup, didn't 
I, Si? 

Si. That's right. 

Jim {taking hold of Cora's ami). You see? Come on, 
now, that's a good little 

Cora {twitching away). I won't. 

Jim. Oh, yes, you will. 

Cora {laughing; aside). Well, you see if I do. 

Jim. Oh, come, dear. {Puts his arm around her.) 

Cora {turning around). Will you promise not to 



Jim. Oh, I'll promise anything. {Suddenly kisses her.) Ha, 
ha! 

Cora {indignantly). Jim Jones, didn't I tell you 

{The others laugh.) 
Enter Steve, l. i e. 

Steve. Hullo, Uncle Eben ; going up home right away ? 

Eben {stiffly). I am. Jim, come on ; come on, Cora ; it's 
gittin' late. 

Steve. Guess I'll go up along, too. 

Eben. There won't be room. 

Steve. Why not? There's only three of you. 

Eben. Well, three's a crowd t' -night. 

Steve. What do you mean by that ? 

Eben {losing his temper). What do I mean ? I mean that 
you are not wanted at Hillside, if you want t' know. 

Steve (blustering). Why not ? Do you mean to insult ine ? 

Eben. No; I simply mean that I don't want anything more 
t' do with ye, an' I might as well tell ye now 's any other time, 
that after what happened yesterday my door is closed against 
ye. I've put up with your devilment as long as I am going to. 
Don't ye dare t' show your face around Hillside again ; if ye 
dOf I'll kick ye so fur ye' 11 never git back. 



HOW JIM MADE GOOD on 

Steve {angrily). Do you dare to talk that way to me, you 
old 

(^TEV-E, Jumps for Eben ; Jim and Si hold him back.) 



QUICK CURTAIN 



ACT IV 

SCENE — Same as in act first. Table c, with red cloth; 
large lamp on table ; also books y sezving- basket, magazine Sy 
a dish of apples, another dish for pop-corn. Evening; lamp 
lighted. Especial attention should be given to the stage lights 
in this scene, in order that correct effects may be produced. 

{At curtain rise, a group is discovered around table, Eben 
in rocker, reading the paper ; Mrs. L. also in rocker, 
doing sofne kind of sewing ; Lucv is occupied with apiece 
of fancy work, and Cora is winding a ball of yarn from 
a skein hanging over a chair back.) 

Eben {reading). Well, I snum. 

Mrs. L. {after a slight pause). What is it, pa? 

Eben. H'm. Oh, nothin' much. 

Mrs. L. ** Nothing much " ? Of r^^/^rx^ it's something, or 
you would not be so interested in it. 

Lucy. Tell us, pa; don't be so selfish with the news. 

Eben. Well, if ye must know, th' paper says here that some- 
body broke into Smith's night afore last. 

Mrs. L. Mercy! The post-office? 

Eben. Uh, huh; that's what it says; but they didn't git 
anything, so there warn't no harm done, I guess. 

Mrs. L. Huh ! ''No harm done " ? I suppose you think 
it's just nothing at all to have your house broken into; 1 don't 
think 

Eben. That's just the reason I wished I'd a kep' still about 
it, ma ; you're so tarnal skittish about burglars. 

Mrs. L. How you talk. I should think {with a meaning 
glance at Jwn) that you'd be a little worried yourself, under 
the 

Eben. Now, ma. {Shakes his head at her.) 

Enter Walt., c. d. 

Lucy. Why, Walter, we were not looking for you so early. 
Pa said you were not coming home before midnight. 

38 



HOW JIM MADE GOOD 39 

Walt, (^putting hat on ivriting-desk). I didn't expect to 
when I left word at the hotel, but the doctor was called out, 
and so 1 hurried home so I could spend the rest of the evening 
with you — I mean, with the — ah— family. 

Eben. Well, Mr. Wayne, we appreciate your company 
{slyly) ; don't we, Lucy? 

Mrs. L. Pa ! 

(Eben laughs.) 

Walt, (rather confused). Er,— Cora, won't you let me 
hold that yarn ? 

Cora. I'd be delighted, Mr. Wayne, for I am havmg all 
kinds of trouble with it. 

(Walt, takes chair ; CoRA places yarn on his hands and 
continues windifig.) 

Walt. Where's Jim, Cora ? 

Cora. Where do you think ? {Laughs.) 

Walt. I'm sure I couldn't guess. 

Cora. Well, he's out in the kitchen, popping corn. 

Eben. Is he, Cora? Well, well, I'm glad t' hear that. 

{Laughs to himself.) 

Lucy. Why, pa ! I didn't know you were so awfully fond 
of pop-corn as all that. 

Eben. I wasn't thinkin' so much about th' corn as I was 
about Jim. 

Mrs. L. What about him ? Why don't you tell us, and 
not sit there laughing to yourself like a great big simpleton ! 

Eben. Well, I'll tell ye. (Looks at Cora.) I was mitey 
glad t' hear that Jim was able t' ''pop" somethin'. Ah, ha, 
ha, ha ! 

Mrs. L. I declare, pa, you're too bad. I wonder what s 
got into you to-night ? 

Cora. Jim's the greatest hand for pop-corn I ever saw. 
Goodness knows, he can eat enough of most anything, but 
when it comes to pop-corn, his appetite is something fierce. 

Eben. That's a ruther discouragin' outlook iox you, Cora, 
seein's you may have t' fodder him one o' these days. Eh, 
Mr. Wayne? 

(Walt, and Eben laugh.) 

Lucy. Father ! 



40 HOW JIM MADE GOOD 

Mrs. L. Eben, I should think you'd be ashamed 

Cora {laughing). Oh, let him enjoy himself; it don't 
plague me any. 

Enter Jim, r. i e., with a large popper full of corn, eating 
some himself. 

Jim. Here ye go — hotter'n blazes. Who'll have some? 
(Attempts to lift the lid ; bur?ts fingers.) Ow ! Gosh-amitey, 
1 should say 'twas hot. Whew ! 

{Passes popper around; all take some but Cora.) 

Cora. Jim, — what a way to pass anything around ; if that 
isn't just like you. There's a dish for it on the table. 
Jim. Is there? Didn't see it. 

{Dumps corn into dishy spilling a good portion of it on table 
and floor.) 

CoKA. Now, look, all over the floor, of course. You can 
just go to work and pick it up. You'd save yourself a lot of 
trouble if you only kept your eyes open a little bit. 

Jim (picking up corn). I tell ye how it is, Cora, I don't 
dare t' keep 'em open very wide. 

Cora. You don't ? I'd like to know why not ? 

Jim. Why, for fear you might scratch 'em out. 

{All laugh. Exit Jim with corn popper, r. i e.) 

Eben. Ha, ha ! Cora, Jim kinder got th' best o' that 
argument. 

Cora. Humph ! 

Reenter Jim. 

Jim. Say, Cora, what's the matter with me holdin' that 
stuff? 

Cora. You f Not much ; you'd have it all wound around 
your neck, and it's all done now, anyway. Thank you very 
much, Mr. Wayne. 

Walt. Come on, Jim ; get out the checker- board. I be- 
. lieve I can beat you to-night. 

Jim (grifinifig). Do ye? Well, there's nothin* like tryin' ; 
b'lieve I'll go ye. 

(Jim gets board ; they sit r. f. and start to play.) 



HOW JIM MADE GOOD 4I 

Eben. I'd like t* see ye beat him, Mr. Wayne. {^Comes 
over, paper in hand.) It's moie'n I can do. 

( The game progresses.) 

Walt. I know; Jim's a pretty tough proposition. Your 
move, Jim — but I've learned a few moves lately that may help 
a little. 

Jim (^jumping). Guess I'll have t* take them two. 

Mrs. L. Cora, hadn't you better get the candles? After 
they get through with their game it will be time to go to bed, 
I guess. 

(Cora goes off r. i e. Mrs. L. and Lucy put aside their 
work and come over and watch game.) 

Jim. Seems t' me I can make use o' that (^Jumping again) 
king there. 

(Jim looks at Eben and laughs.) 

Eben. Ha, ha ! Looks kinder owly, Mr. Wayne. 

Walt, (shaking his head). It does, for a fact j but here is 
one for me. {Jumps.) 

Jim. Gosh ! So 'twas. {Moves.) Go ahead ; it's your 
move. 

(Walt, is cornered ; he studies deeply.) 

Eben (concealing a laugh). Why don't ye move, Mr. 
Wayne? (Eftter Cora, with two lighted candles.) Here's 
Cora with th' candles. 

{All laugh.) 

Walt. Humph ! Guess I'm cornered ; give it up, Jim. 
Jim. How about them new moves you was speakin' of? 
Walt. I think you had seen them before, Jim. 
Eben. It's no use ; he's a hard nut t' crack when it comes 
t' checkers. 

(]iM puts the board away, laughing.) 

Cora. That's because it's a nice slow game, — just Jim's 
style. 

Jim. Huh ! Slow an' sure's a mitey sight better'n tryin' t' 
be so all-fired smart as some folks seem t' think they are. 

Mrs. L. (taking candle). Come, Eben, it's awful late. Is 
everything locked up for the night ? 



42 HOW JIM MADE GOOD 

(Wayne and Jim are talking earnestly aside.") 

Eben. Jim'U attend t' that. 

Lucy. Good-night all. [Exit, l. u. e. 

Cora. Good-night. (Takes candle ; exit, r. u. e.) 
Walt. I am going to take a little walk, Mrs. Lovejoy, be- 
fore I retire. Good-night. \^Exit, r. i e. 
Mrs. L. Good-night, Mr. Wayne. \^Exit Jim, c. d. 
Eben. Come on, ma. (Starts r.) 

Mrs. L. Eben, do you think it is safe to 

Eben (putting out lamp). Oh, pshaw, ma, what's th' use 
o' worryin' ? Come on. 

(As Eben puts the latiip out stage lights should be lowered, 
and lowered still more when both go off with the candle. 
Exeunt Eben and Mrs. L., l. u. e.) 

Enter Jim, c. d. 

Jim (looking around). Well, I guess everything is all O. K., 
so I'll go. Hum ! Wonder where Wayne went to? I wanted 
to speak to him a minnit before Mebby he's waitin' out- 
side. ( Yawns.) Y-a-a-h, hu7n / I'll go see if 1 can find him. 

(Exit, R. I e. Empty stage, dimly lighted ; a short wait.) 

Enter Steve, stealthily, c. d., in slouch hat and mask. He 
carries a jiifuny. Goes to the different exits ; makes sure 
all is quiet. 

Steve (guardedly). They were long enough getting to bed, 
but I think I'm safe enough ; they are all good sleepers. Now, 

for the ( Goes to desk ; pries the lid open ; opens several 

drawers ; finally draivs out a package of money. ) Ha ! Here 
it is. 

( Voices heard off l. Steve betrays alarm ; slips package 
in pocket and crouches down behind desk.) 

Enter Eben and Mrs. L., l. u. e. She carries the candle ; 
stage lights go up a little. 

Eben (in natural voice). This is all nonsense, ma, makin' 
me git up agin at this time o* night. 

Mrs. L. I don't care, pa. I don't feel safe with so much 
money down here, and we all up-stairs. 

Eben. All right, all right ; I'll take it up-stairs if it will 



HOW JIM MADE GOOD 43 

make you feel any easier. Here, hold the candle here a minnit. 
(^Goes over to desk ; discovers it open?) Great Jerusalem, ma! 

Somebody's {^Discovers Steve hiding.) Here, who are 

you ? What are you doing 

(^TEWEjiimps up, dashes candle from Mrs. 'L.^shand. Stage 
tights lower. Steve starts for door ; Eben grabs him.) 

Mrs. L. Help ! Thieves ! Robbers ! {Screaijis. The 
fnen struggle. Steve strikes Eben with the JiiJimy ; he stag- 
gers and falls c. Mrs. L. bends over him. Steve starts for 
C. D. again ; meets Walt. , who rushes in and grapples with 
him ; throws him to floor.) Eben, Eben, are you hurt? 

Enter Si, c. d. He pulls Walt, off of Steve ; together they 

hold Walt. Steve whips off his slouch hat and mask, 

forces them on Walt., grabs Walt.'s hat from desk and 

puts it on his own head, thus changing places. Enter 

Cora, with candle, r. u. e. ; stage lights go up. 

Cora. Oh ! What is it ? What is it ? 

(Drops candle ; goes to assistance of Mrs. L.) 

Enter Lucy, l. i e. Carries candle. Stage lights on full. 

Lucy. Oh, mother, what's happened ? 

(The women help Eben to his feet. He appears a little 
dazed, but not seriously injured. Jim rushes in l. u. e.) 

Jim. What's goin' on here ? 

(Looks from one to the other,) 

Eben. Si — Steve, what are you doing here ? And who is 
it you 

(Si and Steve have pulled V^PlLT. to his feet, but still hold 
him fast, one on either side.) 

Steve. Who have we got ? Do you want to know ? Then 
look ! (Pulls hat and mask off of Walt.) 
Eben. ^ 

Mrs. L. > Mr. Wayne ! 
Cora, j 
Lucy. Walter ! 

(Jim says nothing ; walks around behind Steve.) 



44 HOW JIM MADE GOOD 

Steve. Yes, Wayne; your paragon, your college gentle- 
man, whom we followed in here, and 

Walt. Surely, my friends, you do not believe that I 



(^As Walt, speaks^ Tramp enters unobserved by any one save 
Jim, ivho edges up to him ; they remain near C. d. The 
others being Clearer front.) 

Si. No use, Mr. Wayne. I'm mighty sorry t' see you in a 
scrape like this, but I'd better tell you that the less you say the 
better it may be in the end. Eben, Steve an' I was just drivin' 
home from Jackson's, where we had been spendin' th' evenin'. 
Just as we got in front of th' house, we heard some one holler, 
so we jumped out of th' buggy an' run in. We got here just 
in time to see this man startin* away after knockin' you down. 
I 

Eben (sterfily to Walt.). What have you to say to this, 
sir? 

Walt. Nothing, except to say that it is false. 
Steve. Is it ? How do you account for this, then ? 

(^Holds mask up.) 

Lucv. Father, you do not believe this story, do you ? 
Eben. I don't know what to think, Lucy. It looks so— 

{At a sign from Tramp, Jim steps forward by his side ; 
both draw and level revolvers.) 

Tramp. Hands up, Staples. 

(Si turns quickly ^ sees gun, obeys.) 

Jim. You, too, Steve. 

(St'en'e. follows suit.) 

Tramp. It was a nice little story. Staples, but a little hard 
to believe, especially as it did not fit in with Hammond's worth 
a cent. 

Si (angrily). What is the meaning of this outrage, Jim? 
And I should like to know who you are that dares 

Tramp (throwing aside wig and beard ) . If you must know, 
my name is Cross — keep those hands up. I am a detective 
(showing badge) sent out by the insurance people to investigate 
a number of suspicious fires that have occurred around here — 
keep 'em covered, Mr. Jones, while I put these little ornaments 
on. (Handcuffs both.) I was also authorized to look into 



HOW JIM MADE GOOD 45 

some other little affairs of a criminal nature which you and your 
pal here are suspected of knowing something about. This job 
was rather unexpected, but it has enabled me— thanks to these 
two gentlemen {indicating Walt, and Jim) to catch you both 
with the goods on ; in fact, to get you both just where I wanted 

you. 

Steve. This man is a liar, Uncle Eben. I can 



Cross. Is he? Look here, all of you. (6>^r^/^^i- Steve ; 
finds package of bills, which he holds up.) This looks like 
pretty fair evidence; don't you think so, Mr. Lovejoy ? 
{Hands it to Eben.) 

Eben {shaking Walt.'s hand). I knew it could not be so, 
my boy. I hope 

Walt, {laughing). You do not need to feel at all bad over 
this ; I guess I helped to deceive you myself, as I was in the 
secret of this trap of Mr. Cross's. 

Lucy {throwing her arms aroundV^ klt.'s neck). Ihe idea 
of their trying to make me believe it. 

(Walt, and Lucy talk aside , l.) 

Sl This will cost you all dear, mark my words. 
Cross. Staples, I'd advise you to remember what you said 
a minute ago, about the less said the better. 

{He takes them both back toward door C. ; Steve crestfallen^ 

Si defiant.) 
Cora. Is it true, Jim ? Did you help to do this ? 
Jim. Oh, I didn't do so much ; it was Mr. Cross, and Mr. 

Wayne. I only 

Mrs. L. Cora, I always said you did not half appreciate 

Tim. , 1 ^ ^ 

Cora. But I do. Didn't I always say he was the smartest 

fellow that ever Uved ? 

{Throws her arms around ]m's neck and kisses him. All 

laugh.) 

L. Walt. Lucy Mrs. L. Eben Cora Jim r. 
Si Steve 
Cross 



CURTAIN 



New Plays 



THE SAWDUST QUEEN 

A Comedy Drama in Three Acts 

By Dana J. Stevens 

Author of 'Plain People;' <' Old Acre Folk;' etc. 

Six males, five females. Costumes, modern; scenery, two interiors. 

Plays a full evening. A play of circus life, very picturesque and effective 

and not difficult to get up. Unusually rich in character parts and comedy. 

Soubrette lead ; ladies' parts especially strong. Can be recommended. 

Free for amateur performance. Price, 25 cents, 

CHARACTERS 

Deacon Matthew Sterling. 

Ned Sterling, his son. 

Miss Prudence Prue, ] » 7 . • 

Miss Patricia Prossitt, \ three maiden ladies, his cousins. 

Miss Patience Prouty, J 

Mr. Silas Hankum, his solicitor. 

Adanirum George Washington Hobbes, proprietor of "J he 

Great Forever Cirrus.'' 
ToNEY O'Hara, an old clown. 

The Herr Professor, acrobat and flying trapeze man. 
HuLDA Schwartz, strong lady and snake charmer. 
Starlight, the sawdust queen. 

SYNOPSIS 
Act I.— Inside the dressing tent of "The Great Forever 

Circus • 

Act II.— Three days later. The living room in the Sterling 

homestead. 

Act III.— Several days later. Inside the dressing tent again. 

THE SUMMERVILLE BAZAR 

An Entertainment in One Act 

By Frank Towslee 
Twenty one males, thirty-one females are called for, but this number 
can be greatly reduced by " doubling " or by curtailing the length of the 
entertainment. No scenery required ; costumes, modern. Plays about an 
hour with specialties introduced when called for. This is a humorous 
picture of a church sale, depending upon its characters and incidents, 
which are home thrusts in almost any community, for its svtccess it ends 
with a sale by auction which may be made a real one, if desired to actu- 
ally end up a fair. This entertainment will serve as an admirable frame 
for a vaudeville entertainment, being designed to introduce songs, dances 
or recitations at intervals in its action, but may be played wholly without 
them, as a straight entertainment, if it is preferred. Price, 23 cents. 



AUG 3 laii 

II I T— r^ ■!■ ■ - ' 

Novelties 
HOW THE CLUB WAS FORMED 

An Entertainment in Three Scenes 

By Mrs, O, W, Gleasoii 

Author of**Hozv the Story GreWy^ **A Modern 
Sewing Society y^ etc. 

Eighteen females. Costumes modern ; scenery unimportant. Plays 
one and a half hours. A humoi-ous skit on the Woman's Club suited for 
performance by either young or middle-aged women. Full of points and 
chances for local hits and thus a sure laugh-maker. Parts well dis* 
tributed; can be recommended. 

Price, i^ cents 

A MOTHERS^ MEETING 

An Entertainment in One Scene 

By Arlo Bates 

Author of"j^ Business Meeiifigy" '*A Gentle Jury,'' **An 
Interrupted Proposal,*^ "Her Deaf Ear,* etc. 

Ten females. Costumes modern ; scenery unnecessary. Plays thirty 
minutes. A good-humored and amusing satire of this institution suited 
for performance by middle-aged as well as young ladies. Can be made 
very amusing by the introduction of local points, as in all such entertain- 
ments. All the parts are good and of nearly equal opportunity. Well 
recommended. 

Price f i^ cents 

MAIDS OF ALL NATIONS 

An Entertainment in One Scene 

By Maude Burbaitk 

Author of ''A Pan of Fudge y^ etc. 

Fifteen females, one male. Costumes of the nations ; scene, the usual 
tableau arrangements. A pleasant variation of the " Bachelor's Reverie " 
introducing fifteen pretty girls in the costumes of as many nations. Plays 
thirty minutes. Recommended for its simplicity and picturesqueness. Its 
one male character may speak or not, as preferred, and may be played by 
a girl if desired. 

Price^ IS cents 



Ps 

42)5 



Hoto vJlrri Matie. C©^ 



One copy del. to Cat. Div. 



AUG 5 '»♦». 









THF MAfilSTRATF F^rce in Three Acts. Twelve males, four 
lUC iTlAUlJiI\Ail( females. Costumes, modern; scenery, all 
interior. Plays two hours and a half. 

THE NOTORIODS MRS. EBBSMITR ^^,ri,':,r,Lr.. 

Costumes, modern ; scenery, all Interiors PL' ys a full evening. 

THF PPflFlMlATF Play in Four Acts. Seven males, five females. 
lUC lliUrWUAlEr gcenery, three interiors, rather elaborate; 
costumes, modern. Plays a full evening. 

THE SCHOOLMISTRESS jzzT,:^'::^^zTnT^:::;. 

three interiors. Plays a full evening. 

THE SECOND MRS. TANQDERAY ^'J,^"r Ltlt. X 

tumes, modern ; scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening. 

^WFFT T A VFNUFR Comedy in Three Acts. Seven males, four 
^ni^Ci l(MUWL,Jk fgjj^ales. Scene, a single interior; costumes, 

modern. Plays a full evening, 

THF TIIWFS Comedy in Four Acts. Six males, seven females, 
llIC lIlTllrJ Scene, a single interior; costumes, modern. Plays a 
full evening. 

THF WFAlfFR SFX comedy in Three Acts. Eight males, eight 
1 UL, n EAlVCn JCA f gj^j^ies. Costumes, modern ; scenery, two 
Interiors, Plays a full evening. 

A WIFE WITHOUT A SMILE ^^Zl'^;^Z^Zt.Z: 

modern ; scene, a single interior. Plays a full eveningc 



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No. 5 Hamilton Place, Boston, Massachusetts 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

016 102 402 8 • 



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AS Yftll T IKV IT Comedy in Five Acts. Thirteen males, four 
AiJ luU IflAlv 11 females. Costumes, picturesque ; scenery, va- 
ried. Plays a full evening. 

PA Mil 1 p Drama in Five Acts. Nine males, five females. Cos 



tumeS; modern ; scenery, varied. Plays a full evening. 

Play in Five Acts. Thirteen males, three females. 
Scenery varied ; costumes, Greek. Plays a full evening. 



MAffY STIIAPT Tragedy in Five Acts. Thirteen males, four fe- 
ITliilXl D lUAIil niales, and supernumeraries. Costvimes, of the 
period , scenery, varied and elaborate. Plays a full evening. 

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE S,X'ri!?ee'SfaSs: cS?™?et 

picturesque ; scenery varied. Plays a full evening. 

PirHFT liFIl Play in Five Acts. Fifteen males, two females. Scen- 
J\lvllCL(lL(V ery elaborate ; costumes of the period. Plays a full 
evening. 

THF WIVAT S Comedy in Five Acts. Nine males, five females. 
1 llEi Al Y AL)D Scenery varied ; costumes of the period. Plays a 
full evening. 

€HK QTnnPQ Tft rnMHIlPU comedy in Five Acts. Fifteen 
Jlli; JlUUlJ lU W/UiiytCIl males, tour females. Scenery va- 
ried ; costumes of the period. Plays a full evening. 

TWELFTH NlfiBT: OR, WHAT YOU WILL l^Z^XUS. 

three females. Costumes, picturesque ; scenery, varied. Plays a 
full evening. 



Sent prepaid on receipt of price by 

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